Sinicae historiae decas prima, res a gentis origine ad Christum natum in extrema Asia, sive Magno Sinarum Imperio gestas complexa
Amsterdam: Johannes Blaeu, 1659. Formerly a student of Athanasius Kircher at the Roman College, Martini was the first European to write a history of China based on original Chinese sources. Martini was sent to China by the Jesuit Order as a missionary in 1643 and traveled as far north as the Great Wall. He then returned to Europe where he assisted the great map-maker Johann Blaeu with his famous Atlas Sinensis. Returning to China, Martini remained there until his death in 1661. The history covers the origin of China until the birth of Christ. The first edition published in Munich in 1658 does not include some of the engravings found in this edition. 8vo (15.5 x 10cm), 413pp., [xv]. Several engravings in text. Library stamps to fly-leaf, occasional damp-staining throughout, light wear to upper edge of title-page. Bound in later quarter calf over boards. [Lust 412; Cordier 580]. Item #88
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